Custom Line are actual frog numbers, #4, #6, and #8. The #4 is actually not as sharp as a #4, it's really a #4.5 (must be some story behind that with Atlas). ALl current ones have metal frogs.
SNap Track turnouts have a curved diverging route matching up with sectional track (plus a souple of short fitter sections to balance things out) and have plastic frogs. They don't have a frog number because the diverging route is curved.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I thank you all for your input.
The critical thing is the geometry of the turnout. The customlines are more prototypical, while snap-switches, as Richard pointed out, are made to work with 18-inch radius curves.
Snap-switches can be purchased with either manual or electrical switch machines. Atlas customlines do not come with any switch machines. The ones I have (Code 100) do have the snap-on mounts for Atlas machines.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
All of my Atlas turnouts have metal frogs. I like the custom line due to their larger frog sizes vs the snap which are really made to work with 18" radius.
Richard
Is an Atlas HO scale turnout with plastic frog or the custom line one with metal frogs better, or are they equivalent but different.